Name: Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls (Sweetgreen Copycat) Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 lb sweet potatoes, cubed (about 2 medium sized potatoes, 3-4 cups); ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 3 cups shredded purple cabbage; 1.5 cups shredded carrots (~2 large carrots); ½ cup plain Greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon olive oil mayonnaise or your favorite mayo; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon hot honey or regular honey; ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoon lime juice (1 small lime); ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste); ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 11 reviews

If you’re craving a bowl that’s bursting with flavor but still keeps things healthy and fresh, you’ve got to try this Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls (Sweetgreen Copycat) Recipe. It’s one of my go-to meals when I want something comforting, packed with nutrients, and has that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy—just like the ones from Sweetgreen! I love how easy it is to prep and how it comes together in less than an hour, making it a winner for busy weeknights or meal prep sessions.

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Flavors: The combo of hot honey with smoky spices offers a sweet heat that’s addictive but not overpowering.
Nutrient-Packed: With quinoa, sweet potatoes, and crunchy cabbage slaw, you’re getting protein, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants all in one bowl.
Easy Meal Prep: Roasting the chicken and sweet potatoes on one sheet pan saves time and cleanup, perfect for busy days.
Customizable: You can swap in chicken breast or thighs, adjust spice levels, or swap cabbage for kale – making it your own.

Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, Sweetgreen Copycat Bowls, Healthy Chicken Bowls, Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes - A bowl with four sections of food sitting on a white marbled surface. The top left section has soft, cubed orange sweet potatoes with a slightly roasted texture. Below that is a portion of browned chicken pieces with a shiny glaze and visible herbs. The top right section contains a mix of shredded purple cabbage and orange carrots coated lightly in a creamy dressing. The bottom right section includes pale, fluffy cooked quinoa with tiny round grains. The bowl itself is white with a smooth finish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls (Sweetgreen Copycat) Recipe plays a role, flavor-wise and health-wise. Together, they create layers of taste: smoky, sweet, tangy, and spicy. Plus, most of these ingredients are staples you probably have on hand or can grab easily at the market.

Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, Sweetgreen Copycat Bowls, Healthy Chicken Bowls, Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes - Flat lay of cubed raw chicken thighs sprinkled with garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper, bright orange cubed sweet potatoes dusted with smoked paprika and garlic powder, shredded deep purple cabbage and bright orange shredded carrots, small dish of golden hot honey, fresh lime halves with vibrant green skin, a heap of uncooked quinoa grains, and a small pile of Dijon mustard, all beautifully arranged on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Chicken thighs or breast: I personally prefer thighs for juiciness, but breasts work great if you want leaner meat.
Sweet potatoes: They roast up tender and slightly crispy, adding natural sweetness and fiber.
Quinoa: A great gluten-free grain that’s high in protein and cooks quickly.
Purple cabbage: Adds crunch, vibrant color, and antioxidants to the slaw.
Carrots: Sweet and earthy, they balance the heat and add texture.
Hot honey: This is the star sweet-spicy ingredient—if you can’t find hot honey, regular honey plus a pinch of chili flakes works well.
Smoked paprika, chili powder, thyme, oregano: These spices give depth to the chicken and sweet potatoes, layering smoky, earthy, and herby notes.
Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar: For that lively, tangy dressing that brightens up each bite.
Greek yogurt and mayo: Make the slaw creamy and balanced.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls (Sweetgreen Copycat) Recipe is super adaptable. You can easily adjust spice levels, switch up veggies, or even turn it into a bowl with rice or cauliflower rice if quinoa’s not your jam. And I really encourage you to play with the sauces too — sometimes I add extra hot honey for a bolder kick or swap in lime juice if I’m feeling zesty.

Vegetarian swap: I’ve tried swapping chicken for roasted chickpeas seasoned the same way, and it’s surprisingly satisfying!
Spice level: Add more cayenne or red pepper flakes if you like a serious heat punch.
Different greens: Kale or arugula work great if you prefer leafy greens in your bowl rather than the slaw.
Make it gluten-free: This whole recipe is naturally gluten-free, but make sure your hot honey and sauces don’t contain additives if you’re strict.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls (Sweetgreen Copycat) Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized cubes — I like a mix of thighs for flavor but you can go breast for leaner protein. Toss the chicken pieces in a bowl with garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt, cayenne, and olive oil. Make sure each piece is well coated. I usually let mine rest for 10-15 minutes while I prep everything else so the flavors really sink in.

Step 2: Season and Arrange Sweet Potatoes

Cube the sweet potatoes into even pieces (about 1-inch cubes) so they roast evenly. Toss them with olive oil, cornstarch (this little trick helps them crisp up!), smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread the sweet potatoes out on one half of a baking sheet in a single layer, and add the chicken to the other half, making sure nothing’s overcrowded. Crowding is the enemy of crispiness!

Step 3: Roast Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Bake at 425℉ (220°C) for about 25-30 minutes, turning halfway if you like, until the chicken is golden and reaches 165℉ inside. The sweet potatoes will be tender and slightly caramelized on the edges. Keep an eye on the chicken towards the end so it doesn’t dry out. I always use a meat thermometer to be safe!

Step 4: Cook Quinoa While Baking

While the chicken and sweet potatoes roast, cook your quinoa according to package instructions. It usually takes 15 minutes and makes a fluffy, light base for your bowl. Pro tip: rinse quinoa before cooking to remove any bitterness.

Step 5: Make the Purple Cabbage Coleslaw

Shred or grab pre-shredded purple cabbage and carrots. In a big bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, apple cider vinegar, hot honey, Dijon mustard, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a creamy slaw dressing. Toss the cabbage and carrots in until well coated. This slaw adds a fantastic crunch and freshness that balances the warm roasted ingredients.

Step 6: Whisk Up the Hot Honey Mustard Dressing

In a small jar or bowl, whisk Dijon mustard, hot honey, apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice), red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Shake or stir until combined nicely. This sauce is the magic that ties everything together with a spicy-sweet tang!

Step 7: Assemble Your Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls

Grab your favorite bowls and layer quinoa on the bottom, then add a generous scoop of slaw, followed by roasted chicken and crispy sweet potatoes. Drizzle the hot honey mustard dressing on top and dig in! Every bite is a perfect symphony of textures and flavors.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Marinate Time Matters: Even just 10 minutes lets the spices start to penetrate the chicken, but if you have time, an hour feels even better.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Using two sheet pans or baking in batches helps the chicken and sweet potatoes roast crispy instead of steaming.
Cornstarch for Crispiness: Tossing sweet potatoes in cornstarch before roasting was a game changer for getting that lovely edge crisp everyone loves.
Prep Slaw in Advance: Make your coleslaw a day ahead and keep it cold—this actually helps the flavors meld beautifully.

How to Serve Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls (Sweetgreen Copycat) Recipe

Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, Hot Honey Chicken Bowls, Sweetgreen Copycat Bowls, Healthy Chicken Bowls, Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes - The image shows a white bowl with four different parts of food arranged side by side. The first layer on the left is light yellow quinoa with a grainy texture. Next to it is a layer of purple and light orange coleslaw made from shredded cabbage and carrots mixed with a creamy dressing. The top-right section contains small browned chicken pieces with a golden glaze. The last section on the bottom-right has roasted orange sweet potato cubes with a slightly crispy look. Behind the bowl is a glass jar with a creamy white sauce. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface with a light fabric in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping these bowls with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for a fresh, herby finish. Toasted sesame seeds add a nice nutty crunch, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens everything up at the table.

Side Dishes

Since this bowl is pretty filling on its own, I usually keep sides light — a simple mixed green salad with a lemon vinaigrette or some roasted asparagus pairs beautifully without overwhelming your meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I like serving the bowls deconstructed on a big platter with small bowls of each element for guests to build their own. It’s casual, interactive, and everyone enjoys customizing their spice level and portion sizes!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken, sweet potatoes, quinoa, and slaw separately in airtight containers in the fridge to keep everything fresh. The slaw can last about 2-3 days, while the chicken and sweet potatoes are best eaten within 3-4 days.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze the slaw because it gets watery, but the chicken and sweet potatoes freeze well when cooked—just reheat gently to keep the texture nice. Portion them out beforehand for easy grab-and-go meals.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the chicken and sweet potatoes in a 350℉ oven for 10-15 minutes or use a skillet to keep them crispy. I add the fresh slaw and drizzle with dressing right before serving to keep everything vibrant and crisp.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs in this Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls (Sweetgreen Copycat) Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts work just fine—just be sure not to overcook them as they tend to dry out faster than thighs. Marinating well and checking the internal temperature will help keep them juicy and flavorful.
Is hot honey essential, or can I substitute something else?

If you don’t have hot honey on hand, try mixing regular honey with a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper. It’s not a perfect match, but it captures that sweet and spicy vibe quite well and keeps things simple.
Can I make the Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the chicken, sweet potatoes, slaw, and even quinoa in advance. Store them separately and assemble just before serving to keep textures fresh and toppings crisp.
What can I substitute if I don’t have purple cabbage?

Kale, green cabbage, or even shredded Brussels sprouts make great alternatives. They’ll add the needed crunch and freshness, just adjust the dressing quantities to your preference.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Hot Honey Chicken Bowls (Sweetgreen Copycat) Recipe has truly won a special spot in my meal rotation. It’s fuss-free but feels special with its bold layers of flavor, fresh crunch, and comforting warmth. If you’re looking for a nourishing bowl that satisfies both your health goals and your taste buds, this one’s a must-try. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll be coming back again and again—perfect for any night when you want something wholesome, delicious, and just a little bit spicy!